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How to Lose Weight on a Budget

Friday, April 30, 2010

Here’s a key to losing weight on a budget. That means not paying for weekly shots, menus, membership fees, etc. It’s free and it’s readily available to most people. It’s your local library.


Don’t overlook the library as a way to lose weight. It’s full of free resources. Here are some of the best ones.

Fitness DVDs

Most libraries have or let you special order fitness DVDs. This is a great way to try out a lot of different work outs to find what one you like and will stick to.

Cookbooks

Besides exercise you’ll need to focus on reducing the number of calories you eat. There are also cookbooks you can check out that focus on low calorie recipes.

Health Magazines

My library also has health magazines. Just reading about the successes of others is helpful. You think about what you read. I find when I read about celebrities I think about drama and all the things I want to buy. When I read about getting in shape it makes me want to get in shape. I like to read the stories that tell how it’s done.

Self Help Books

There are books about everything you need to understand the root of your weight issues. For example look for books about emotional eating or the science of losing weight. I recommend checking out You: On a Diet (I got the CDs and listened to them on the way to work).

Cook and plan your meals in advance and store your food in portion-controlled sizes. Whenever you get back from the grocery store, wash and cut up fruits and vegetables and put in containers so they are easier to grab than junk food. I also love to use my juicer to make healthy drinks and again, use the library (or the Internet) for recipes to try. I love adding plain yogurt and ice to my juices and experimenting with new ingredients. Unlike energy drinks, smoothies or juices are loaded with vitamins and can keep you full longer. You can also add your own supplements like the lecithin at this vitamin store.

The last element of losing weight that’s important and budget-friendly is to start a support group. Studies have shown that having a structured group increases the chances you will succeed. So find other moms or people who you like who you can meet with and keep each other accountable. Find a workout buddy. If you don’t know anyone start your own group on Meetup.com (nominal fee).

Alright, your turn! Any ideas for losing weight on a budget? We want to hear them!

Time for Blogmania!



My Blog is 73 of 123.




You’ve arrived at exactly the right time to explore lots of new blogs, all of which, ARE GIVING AWAY A VERY SPECIAL BLOGMANIA GIVEAWAY (For One Day Only – April 30th).



We’ve done all the work for you. No hunting or surfing. Each blog will have a number and each new blog link will have a number. These numbers will allow you to keep track of which blogs you’ve visited and how many are left to visit. Why not take a moment to make a list of blog numbers 1-123 and check off the blogs as you go.



I know you’ll want to visit as many blogs today as you can. So, if you see something that interests you on any of our participating blogs, why not bookmark that site. Later, when you have more time, you can discover all its fabulous treasures.



CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
 
 

MY GIVEAWAY and RULES:




I am giving away my  Stretching the One Income Dollar book to one lucky reader!The draw will be made tommorow.I will
contact the winner tommorow as well as post here.
 
 
 
 

To Enter:


Follow my site on Google Friend.
 
 
Extra Entries:
 
-Follow me in email subscriber
-Grab my button
-Add this Blogmania giveaway on your site
-Follow me in Twitter
 
 
Open to all.




Giveaway ends on April 30, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email and will have 48 hours to reply back before a new winner is selected. Please leave your email address if it is not on your profile so I can contact you if you win.


Be sure to visit these other Blogmania Blogs for more great giveaways!!


(Blog- 1 – HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Between The Pages - http://betweenthelinesandmore.blogspot.com/



(Blog -2 – CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) The Black Sheep Dances - http://www.theblacksheepdances.blogspot.com/


(Blog-43 - CO-HOST OF BLOGMANIA) Books, Books Everywhere - http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/

(Blog-106) Bitten By Paranormal Romance - http://bittenbyparanormalromance.blogspot.com/


(Blog-82) Carpe Libris - http://www.seizethebookblog.blogspot.com/


(Blog-59) Curling Up By The Fire - http://www.curlingupbythefire.blogspot.com/


(Blog-46) Tribute Books Reviews - http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/


(Blog-12) Off the Keyboard - http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com/


(Blog-94) Romance Book Scene - http://www.romancebookscene.blogspot.com/


(Blog-56) My Favorite Things - http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/


(Blog-63) D.B. Reynolds, Writer - http://dbreynolds.wordpress.com/

 
 

You can visit  Between the Pages for the master list of all the blogs participating in Blogmania.



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Today's Winner

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Today's winner of the book: Clean, Lean and Green is:

9oofus@gmail.com

http://www.oneincomedollar.com/2010/04/book-review-and-giveaway-clean-green.html

Winner has been contacted and has 7 days to claim prize before a redraw is made.

Thank you to everyone for your entries!





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Blogmania Starts Tommorow!



Blogmania starts tommorow- and I am giving away a copy of my book: Stretching the One Income Dollar.
One lucky winner from Canada or the USA will win - and be notified on May 1st.
As well, there will be many others to blog jump to and have a chance to win one of their great prizes!
               Check back tommorow! Please do not leave a comment here to enter today.







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Review and Giveaway ( Canada only) - Upper Canada's Fruit Frappe

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

   I recently received for review, Upper Canada's Fruit Frappe body lotion -Watermelon with Acai

There are a few other options of scents:



Passionfruit with noni

Pear with mangosteen

Watermelon with acai

Grapefruit with gooseberry

Apricot with kiwi



These are fragrance lotions and have nice a nice texture. I use lotions every day and loved this lotion.
This lotion is loaded with Shea Butter and 10 antioxidant superfruits to keep skin moisturized and deliciously soft.





I also tried their Body Spritz in Passionfruit with noni.
 
There are other scents available:
 
Grapefruit with gooseberry


Watermelon with acai

Apricot with kiwi

Pear with mangosteen

Passionfruit with noni

 
I love my body sprays and this one works for your hair as well, so you always smell clean and fresh!
 
This is a  gel in a bottle that sprays as a fabulously fragranced spritz! Plus, it is  perfect size to carry with you all day for a burst of fruit whenever you need it!
 
 
 
 
Upper Canada would love to give away one of their products away to one lucky winner in Canada.
A random draw will be made from Random.org on May 11, 2010 from all entries recieved.
 
 
 
To Enter:
 
Tell me which of the above fragrances would be your favorite.
 
 
Extra Entries:
 
- Follow me in Twitter
-Sign up as a Google Friend
-Grab my button for your site
-Add this giveaway to your site
-Sign up for my emails
 
 
Best of luck to all entrants!

Blogmania 1 Day Giveaway- April 30th!






Hi everyone Blogmania is on Friday, April 30th. Come join me and 123 other blogs for 1 day of blog jumping and  giveaway entering. This is going to be a fun way to enter as many giveaways as you can in one day.

HUNDREDS OF GIVEAWAYS WILL BE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. TELL YOUR FRIENDS. ...SAVE THE DATE!- April 30th.............





 





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Todays Winner!

Today's winner has been drawn for the book:
Personal Finance for Canadian Dummies
http://www.oneincomedollar.com/2010/04/review-and-giveaway-canada-only_15.html

Winner is:
dftrew@gmail.com

** Winner has 7 days to return reply before a re-draw is made.

Thank you to all who entered!




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Garage Sale Tips by Froogaloo






As we are approaching garage sale season, Rachel of  Froogaloo wanted to share a few tips to help you find the best deals and items for your household.




1. Browse your local newspaper (don't forget online versions) and Craigslist for garage sales of interest. Pay special attention to the top items listed in each listing. If you are in a household without children, you might want to stay away from those listings that boast baby and children items. When you find listings of interest, write down the address of each sale and map them out so you can set out a clear path and not waste time and gas.



2. Focus on specific locations. I tend to browse the garage and estate sales of those homes in my neighborhood. This allows me to get some exercise while getting to snoop at my neighbor's stuff. Growing up, my sister and I would drive to the nicer neighborhoods in the town next to ours. She was really into looking for clothes for herself and would find lots of barely worn, brand name items. I found my first set of golf clubs, bag included, for $1. Also watch for neighborhood or block sales. This will allow you to drive to one spot and have access to items for sale from numerous sellers. Similar in size to neighborhood and block sale are church, school, and charity rummage sales. These are typically held at an interior location, such as the church or school, and all proceeds go to the organization or a specific project that should be advertised. If these events are over multiple days, the organizers are much more likely to give great deals on the last day so that they don't have to make arrangements to store remaining items or send to collection agencies, such as Goodwill or Salvation Army.




3. Estate sales. These tend to be better organized than a garage sale and typically take place after the resident has passed away. If you are looking for more household items or vintage clothing, these might be your focus.




4. Time of day. You will have the best selection of items if you get there early, but will be able to find better deals at the end of the day. If you find an item specifically listed in the ad that you are interested in, it is in your best interest to get there early. The owner is also less likely to bring down the price much if it is an item that will generate a lot of traffic to their location. Please be kind to sellers and don't arrive before the listed start time of the sale. These sellers may be trying to finish some last minute preparation of their sale, or just catching some last zzz's before the big day.




5. Haggling. Don't be afraid to offer a lower price than marked for any items that you are interested in. The seller may be more willing to accept a lower price if you are purchasing several items. Please be respectful of sellers and don't offer an unreasonably low price. Offer a price that you feel represents the value of the item.


Do you have any other tips for garage sale shoppers?



Guest post by: Rachel:

My friends and I started Froogaloo in March 2010 to share our money saving tips and tricks with others.

We quickly realized that, day in and day out, we're all working very hard for many different goals, such as education, retirement, vacation, a car, a home, family, etc. So, we created Froogaloo, which is a community focused on helping you find resources (both online & offline) for a fit wallet, so you can live your lifestyle! Members receive free access to the community, where discussions take place in the forum, examples are shared on the blog and more. Additionally, members receive free tips by e-mail and webinars. In the future, we'll develop more opportunities, such as training seminars. Please take a minute to visit the site and sign up! It's free to join and filled with great information.

We have a Winner!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Today's winner of the giveaway for the $75 gift certificate from Athletica.net has been drawn-
http://www.oneincomedollar.com/2010/04/review-and-giveaway-athleticanet.html


Our winner:

Songberries@gmail.com

Thank you to all who entered!




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Check Out More New Blogs!

Be sure to check out the new list of Blogs we have listed on the bottom of our home page!
Have fun!



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Free Items You Can Sell On Ebay




Ebay is a great place to make a few extra dollars. What can you sell on Ebay? Almost anything! You don’t have to invest a lot of money in inventory to make money. There are items that you can find for free to sell on Ebay. Yes, I said Free! Some of these require a little effort but the cost is zero. These are things that you pass by or are thrown away every day.




1. Box Tops for Education (BTFE): Many products that you probably buy to eat already have the BTFE label so the BTFE cost is actually zero. Yes, people buy these on Ebay. It is best to sell the BTFE during the school year. Some schools have classroom contests where the class that collects the most gets a prize or party. The BTFE sell on Ebay for about .10 each. I recommend collecting at least 100 BTFE so your profit is not eaten up by Ebay fees.



2. Coupons: When I mention coupons, most people think of the coupons that come in the Sunday paper. Yes, you can sell those on Ebay. But expand your thinking to any coupon on the internet or from any store. You can find tear pads of coupon in grocery stores and coupons in magazines. Discount coupons for stores can also sell extremely well. Some examples are American Eagle, Janie and Jack, and Build a Bear. A Janie and Jack 20% off coupon sold for $32!!



3. Business Throw Away Items: Businesses throw out items every day that can be resold on Ebay. Two examples are shipping supplies and empty ink cartridges. You do have to get the courage to ask if you can have the items.



a. Shipping Supplies: People that sell on Ebay or through their online business need shipping supplies. Many businesses throw out packaging material such as packing peanuts and bubble wrap. Some businesses to approach would be flower shops and pottery stores. As a seller on Ebay, I receive all my shipping supplies for free from a local “paint your own pottery” store.

b. Empty Ink Cartridges: Every business uses a printer. Many businesses still throw away their empty ink cartridges. You can sell empty ink cartridges on Ebay.



4. The Garage Sale Free Box: I love garage sales! Many garage sales have a free box where you can just take things from the box. Look the items over carefully and take a few. When you get home, check Ebay for selling prices of your items. Remember to group items together. For example: the Wizard of OZ happy meal toys don’t get a high price per individual item but a group could get you $10 to $25.



5. Craigslist: There is a section on Craigslist for free items. Most of the items in my area are furniture but you may find some items that you could resell individually or as a group.



6. Freecycle: The idea of Freecycle is to keep items out of the landfill. Freecycle does have a policy that you should not pick up Freecycle items for resale. BUT there are a few exceptions to this rule. If you repair or otherwise reuse the item in a different way then it is ok. This is great for people who can repair appliances or crafters! I have a friend who makes mosaics and she gets individual dishes from Freecycle . She sells her crafts at craft shows.



7. Rebate items: It is possible to get items free after rebate or register rewards. Some of the stores that offer free after rebate items are Menards, Staples, Office Max, Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid. Staples has offered high value items such as backpacks and batteries. Just be aware that some stores, such as Staples, require that you spend the rebate in their store. So you don’t actually get cash back. It is still a good deal if you would be buying other items at that store.



So look around and keep your eyes open! Those free items can make money for you on Ebay.
 
 
 
Thanks to Sandy for the guest post today: Free items You Can Sell on Ebay.
Sandy is an avid Ebay seller, collector and bargain hunter.
She has the web site Troll Dolls Guide, which talks about collecting Troll dolls and a bargain hunter's blog called Smart Cents Mom.

Four Quick & Easy Ways to Save Money this Spring

Looking for quick and easy ways to save money this spring? Here are four


things you can do to free up a little cash and have a little extra money

to play with.






1. Borrow instead of buying whenever possible. For tools, lawn care

equipment, and specialty items you rarely use, try to borrow them before

you buy. Check with friends, neighbors and family members to see if they

own what you need before you spend money on something you'll use once a

year or less.



2. For your spring cleaning this year, go natural. Instead of spending

money on high-priced—and often toxic—cleaners, try using vinegar first.

It's great for windows, floors, kitchen appliances and more. And while the

scent isn't exactly appealing, you can light a candle to get rid of that

and the cost-savings will be worth the effort.



3. Spend less on soap when you make it last longer. If you take the time

to dry your soap before using, it will last up to twice as long. Simply

open both ends of the wrapper and place the soap in a drawer or closet for

a couple weeks where it will do "double duty" as an air freshener until

ready to use.



4. Turn on a ceiling fan when you use air conditioning and you can raise the

thermostat about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Just be sure to turn

the fan off when you leave a room since ceiling fans cool people, rather

than rooms, by creating a wind chill effect, so there's no need to leave

them running when you're not there.



There are many more ways to save money during the spring and every season!

Look for the things you and your family can do, then spend your savings on

fun activities the whole family will enjoy.



----------



Darlene 'Dee' Bishop is a professional writer whose work has appeared in

hundreds of print and online publications. In addition, she is the owner

of Business Support Group, where she loves to use her writing skills to

help others build their businesses... one word at a time.™ Visit her now

at http://bizsupportgroup.com/

Review and Giveaway- Hapari Swimwear

Monday, April 26, 2010



Hapari Swimwear offers great looking tankinis, swimsuits and modest swimwear for men, women and juniors.Suits as well  for mastectomy patients and a wide range of sizings.
But don't take my word for it- check out their blog , where some swimwear is shown being modelled.
The designs and colors are great! No more "granny" looking swimwear!
I also love their half tees- these are great for under those shirts where you need another top, but don't want the bulk and bunch of a second shirt.



The great folks at Hapari Swimwear would love one lucky reader from the USA or Canada to have the chance to win a new swimsuit for this summer!

A random draw for a $95 gift certificate will be held on May 9, 2010 from all entries recieved and drawn with Random.org


To enter:

Please tell me what your favorite colors are for a swimsuit .Please leave your email address too!


Extra Entries:
-Sign up for Hapri's discount coupons and other info
-Follow me on Twitter
- Subscribe in email
-Follow as a Google Friend
-Grab my button
-Add this giveaway to your site


Good luck to all!


This Mother's Day- Give a Gift of Lush


This Mother’s Day, LUSH Cosmetics is giving the traditional bouquet of flowers a run for its money.






Get rid of the expected bouquet of flowers and give mom a gift that will not only fragrance the room but also moisturize and refresh her skin as well. The Light Pink Mum Bath Bomb ($7.95) is a blend of jasmine, orange blossom and mimosa absolute; The Pink Mum Bath Bomb ($7.95) is a sweet fragrance of marshmallows and candy and The Yellow Mum ($7.95) is a citrus blend of lemon and orange oils with sunflower and marigold petals. You can even plant the gift tag!





Wrapped in beautiful flower-printed paper and tied up with a raffia ribbon, Mum Gift ($37.95) is filled with some of LUSH favourites and even some new products that are guaranteed to keep her happier (and healthier) than a traditional box of chocolates!




A mother’s love is immeasurable and so too is the gift she’d like receive! Spoil mom with the Mum Hatbox ($49.95) full of seven indulgent bath and body treats. If you were ever spoiled rotten (even once), now is the time to return the favor.





If you want to go the distance for your mom this year, pick out her favourite goodies and Knot-Wrap them using one of two beautiful, limited edition scarves ($6.95 each). Mom will appreciate the stylish scarf that she can use as a shopping bag, an accessory or as décor. And, we are sure she will appreciate you taking care of Mother Earth too!




Also, check out the 7 lovely (and we mean it) new things that are in stores this week! We’ll give you a hint - lips will be scrubbed, bodies will be delightfully polished and crèmed, baths will be out of this world and make skin bloom with happiness.

Can You Give/Tithe and Be Frugal at the Same Time?

Sunday, April 25, 2010




When one gets into the mindset of being thrifty, frugal and a penny pincher, at times we can hang on to as much of our money as we possibly can. We see it as a game, where we begin seeing our bank accounts rise, with every extra dollar we add,but can that mindset get in the way of giving? It was beginning to get like that with me.
I wanted to save every bit that I did manage to save in my bank account. It was hard parting with what I saved.However lately,
I have been reading alot lately on tithing.
It does seem like if we give more freely of our dollars for charity and the church, it will be multiplied 10x over for us.
I have been giving this a try after reading Edwene Gaines book: The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity- so will see what happens.
I'd love to hear from others on their views.
Do you feel you give and it is given back to you or do you hold back your money as you try to save more to build your bank account? When we become more and more frugal, at times is it hard even to give to charity?
Have you ever found yourself saying you are "charity"?






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Product Review- Tots n Style- A Premier Children's E-tailer

Saturday, April 24, 2010




I recently recieved a beautiful rug from Tots n Style.
Tots n Style carries a great deal of premier children's clothing, modern baby furniture, and baby gear from many great brand names


Although I no longer have babies, this site had some beautiful rugs and I found the perfect one for our laundry room- a Coral Kids Sage/Brown. These rugs are so unusual. The one I have looks like long grass with dirt beneath it's surface. It is really something to see! Please check out their rugs and all their other children's items.






Right now you can recieve a $50 gift card or free crib mattress for purchases over $499. As well, April sales recieve an additional 25% off any clothing or shoes.













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What? Snow again??




You'd think winter should be over already, but we just got dumped on again last night.
This is a view looking out to the left of the street from my front window.
My sister lives in the two toned brown duplex in the corner,so we live quite close to one another.
The station wagon is in the next door neighbours yard.
Anyone else with snow??





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There's Money in Your Clutter

Friday, April 23, 2010








Spring cleaning can be daunting, but one great reason to get your home in shape is the extra money items you no longer need can bring. Old furniture, clothing that no longer fits, toys your kids have grown out of, and even sports equipment you no longer use can help you earn some cash while creating more space in your home.




Clearing the Clutter



First we need to go through every room in our home and de-clutter. Don't get frustrated just yet if that looks like an impossible task! Start with one room and spend just 15 minutes a day. Follow the 3 simple rules of de-cluttering, first throw out any trash, then separate items that can be sold or donated, then sort and group the rest of your belongings so you can organize the room. Next we'll separate the items you have decided to sell or donate to get as much money as possible.



Ebay - Ebay is great for items that are worth a lot, are brand new, or that can be easily shipped. Ebay gives you the chance to really tell interested buyers about the item, and opens up the sale to people across the country rather than just in your neighborhood. If you've never sold on Ebay before, a professional organizer can help you or an Ebay auction assistant.



Craigslist - Craigslist is great for larger items like furniture or electronics that can't be shipped easily or inexpensively, and for smaller items that aren't worth much or need work to bring them back to life. While we are trying to earn money by clearing out clutter, you can also use Craigslist for those items you planned on trashing by listing them for free. You never know what someone else can do with your trash!



Etsy - If you have a lot of craft materials, create a lot of artwork, or have vintage items, Etsy is a great place to sell items. All of the items are typically hand made or vintage, so if you have been keeping items from a parents estate, have a collection of old maps or handkerchiefs, or an abundance of postcards you've created yourself, you'll find a community of shoppers that are looking for unique items just like yours.



Consignment Shop - Local consignment shops are great for brand name clothing, and some shops specialize in sports equipment to help you get rid of old hockey or ski equipment you've outgrown or no longer use.



Garage Sale - Finally there is the tried and true garage sale. If you have enough items, or have family members or neighbors that will hold a sale with you, it can be a great way to earn a few hundred dollars. Garage sales work best for smaller, inexpensive items that you aren't concerned with getting a good return on what you paid for the item. Mismatched glasses, pots and pans, gardening tools, books, generic clothing and other odds and ends go quickly at a garage sale if you've priced them right.



Guest Post By: ClutterGeeks.com - Professional organizer helping reduce and eliminate clutter in Philadelphia and Bucks County PA

Top 6 Most Expensive Cities in North America to Live




How much is quality of life worth? What are you willing to shell out for rent/mortgage, food, clothing, transit and taxes? Is living well worth the price we pay? Heavy questions and everyone needs to find their own answers. Well, if you’re considering relocating to the other side of the fence, here are the most expensive cities in North America to live.




6. San Diego



The first of the Californian entries on this list, San Diego’s cost of living index is a healthy 133.7, making it one of the cheapest West Coast cities in which to live. The 3rd cheapest to be exact. Not bad for paradise though still a long way from being within everyone’s price range.



5. Washington



This one is a bit of a surprise. But Washington, DC has a cost of living index of 138.5. Considering the level of poverty in the US capital, one would think the city might top the list with living costs so high that pretty much everyone outside of politics would have a hard time making ends meet. However at #5, it’s hardly bargain basement as well.



4. Los Angeles



Another surprise here. That’s right, La-La Land comes in at #4 on this list. I’m sure the Hollywood multi-millionaires are pleased with a cost of living index of only 140.7. So if you think you’ll be California bound in the near future, you might want to consider the City of Angels as a possible nesting place. Or course there are those fires and mudslides to worry about.



3. San Jose



153.1. Not bad for this Californian paradise. But not great either. But, hey, life on the West Coast comes with a price tag many think is worth paying to get away from snow, cold and Winter in general. San Jose may not have the cache of L.A. or Frisco but it does have the same balmy weather.



2. San Francisco



This West Coast city ranks very high but the cost of living index here is much lower than our number one spot. Only 162.9. These may not put San Franciscans on easy street but they might have a bit more spring in their steps than the citizens of our most expensive city. Living in the shadow of the Golden Gate bridge can be a San Francisco treat!



1. New York



No surprise here. The Big Apple costs big bucks. With a cost of living index of 214.7, New York is way ahead of the pack. Bottom line, pretty much everything costs more in New York City than anywhere else in North America. Are the financial headaches of John and Jane New Yorker the reason why this is the city that never sleeps.



There you have it. Address bragging rights don’t come cheap and one should be aware that living the high life comes with high cost. They’re not giving that California sun away. And if you want to sink your teeth into the Big Apple, it’ll cost you.








This article was written by Andrew Salmon. He writes for a number of websites including: http://www.debtmanagement.org.uk/


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Review: Baggu

Wednesday, April 21, 2010



Have you heard of Baggu ?
I recently recieved one of their handy bags to review. They are so roomy and come in a wide range of colors- not just your traditional "black" reusable bag.
Carry in your hand or over your shoulder

The bag also comes in a handy little carrying case- which makes it perfect to carry in your purse.

They believe in bright colors, high style, quality materials, and economy of use.

Based on the form of the iconic plastic grocery bag, a BAGGU does the same job without harming the environment.Using one BAGGU for one year replaces 300 to 700 disposable bags.

They carry a wide range of colorful bags- one will be sure to fit  a use you may have.

Visit them today: Baggu










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How I Can Save 55%+ With Coupons



I love saving money no matter where I shop. I don’t care if I’m at the pet store, the grocery store, or even getting my haircut. There is always a way to save! By following my guidelines, I wanted to show you how I can save each and every time I shop.




Step 1 – Always consider shopping online



I know, many of you love shopping in the store and there’s nothing wrong with that! What I have found is that by shopping online, you’re going to generally get the best deals, compared to shopping the store. You will want to keep this in mind when you’re ready to shop.



Step 2 – Compare the product that you want



I’m assuming that you know what you want to purchase. Now, before you head to your favorite store and purchase it, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re getting the best price. What you’ll want to do is compare the prices on it. You can do this by using sites like PriceGrabber.com, as well others like Google Shopping.



Step 3 – Search for a coupon code / printable coupon



Let’s say that Target has the best deal for you. What you’re going to want to do now Is search for a printable coupon, or code. Head to your favorite search engine and input something along the lines of, “Target coupon codes”, or “Target printable coupons.” Make sure that you look into the most recent results to ensure that you’re getting something that’s fresh.



Step 4 – Consider buying your coupons



It sounds funny but you can save some big bucks by purchasing coupons on sites such as eBay. For example, a few months ago I purchased a 10% off Lowe’s coupon because I needed a Washer and Dryer. I had only paid $1.25 for it and it ended up saving me $90!



Step 5 – Get cash back!



Sites like Ebates and Bank of America’s AdditUp are amazing when you want to get cash back on your purchase. Basically, what you’re going to do is find the store that you’re going to shop with. You will want to click this shopping list before you shop with them. Now, whatever you purchase, you’re going to get a portion of that back. This is going to vary among all stores. Some will give you 20%+ back!



Step 6 – Consider a cash back credit card



If you’re disciplined enough with a credit card, make your purchase with a cash back card. Some will give you bonuses up to 25%! This is another great way to save on top of everything that you have already done.





By following these steps, you can save a tremendous amount of money! Again, there shouldn’t be a reason on why you shouldn’t save more than 20% to start.



This is a guest post written by Elizabeth Cutten. Elizabeth runs MyCCFinder, a site dedicated to helping you save. Whether you want to find a printable coupon, or a hot deal, we have that covered for you!



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Lowering Your Personal Expenses

Tuesday, April 20, 2010








Personal expenses are usually classified as discretionary

because they are generally quite flexible. And as such, we

tend to overlook their importance when it comes to budgeting

and saving money. This is the category that people keep the

least track of because they really don't want to know how

much money they are wasting. Here are some tips for lowering

personal expenses in three areas: clothing/appearance,

communications/cell phones, and funeral arrangements.



Clothing/Appearance



Buy used clothing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor

Statistics' most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey, the

average consumer spends about $1,850 a year on clothing and

its upkeep. You can potentially cut that in half by shopping

at consignment shops, auctions and thrift stores.



If you must buy new, buy in the off season. This is

especially great for kids' clothes because you know they

generally go up one size each year. Plan ahead and budget

for this. You can also buy clothing at name-brand outlets,

factory outlets, or secondary department stores (where

department stores send their overstocks).



Buy less cost-related clothing; choose fabrics and designs

that are easy both to wear and maintain. Watch out for "Dry

Clean Only" and instead choose garments that you can care

for at home.



Cut back on makeup and perfumes. Or look for sales and buy

generic brands. Most people won't notice the difference.



Donate old clothes to charitable organizations and keep

track of their values to use as a charitable donation tax

write-off. Go to http://www.itsdeductible2.com for a guide

on the value of donated items.



Communications/Cell Phones



Instead of calling, use e-mail. It's free (if you already

have an Internet connection) and you will save money on your

long distance phone bill. Also, comparison shop long

distance plans and find one that works well with your

calling style.



Write a letter. It only costs a bit more than a quarter to

send and it will help you improve your writing and

communication skills.



Keep track of your calling minutes to make sure you don't go

over your allotted time. Most long distance and cell phone

companies have high charges for extra minutes. If you

consistently exceed your plan's minutes, upgrade your plan.

The extra monthly cost for the next step up is usually much

less than the extra charges for more minutes.



Shop around for cell phone plans. Cell phone companies and

plans vary widely, so compare carefully. Now you can even

take your cell number with you if you switch providers.

Before switching from your current company, call them and

tell them you are about to switch and see if they will match

or beat their competitor's offer.



Funeral Arrangements



Make your wishes known about your funeral, memorial, or

burial arrangements in writing. Don't leave this decision to

the ones you leave behind.



Before selecting a funeral home, call several and ask for

prices of specific goods and services, or visit them to

obtain an itemized price list. You are entitled to this

information by law and, by using it to comparison shop, you

can save hundreds of dollars.



Many funeral homes offer prepaid plans, but be cautious

about prepaying because there may be risks involved. For

information about the least costly options, which could save

you several thousand dollars, contact a local memorial

society, which is usually listed in the Yellow Pages under

funeral services.



Keep your discretionary spending in check by modifying your

spending habits. Evaluate your apparel and communications

spending and see how you can improve. Jot down your wishes

concerning your future memorial service and put them with

your will and trust. Downsize or even eliminate those extra

dollars that just disappear each month and put them to good

use, such as paying off debt or investing. Soon you'll be on

your way to a healthier financial you.








************************************************************

© Simple Joe, Inc.

Chemain Evans is a quality control specialist for Simple Joe,

Inc., makers of the popular Simple Joe's Expense Tracker PC

software. Expense Tracker is a quick and simple way to keep

track of your expenses and stay within your budget. Expense

Tracker http://www.simplejoe.com/expensetracker/index2.htm

is ideal for tracking personal, business, home and club

expenses.








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Can You Help? Looking for Public Relations Contacts

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Am looking for public relations, social media and marketing communications agencies.
If anyone is willing to pass along my name to their contacts, it would be much appreciated.
Please pass along my name and email.
As well, am looking for anyone that sells on Etsy or knows how to make contact with those selling their wares on Etsy, to email me.
Thank you:
oneincomedollar@yahoo.ca




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Today's Winner

We have a winner for today's book draw:
http://www.oneincomedollar.com/2010/04/review-and-giveaway-book-stop-throwing.html

realitybbq@gmail.com

Winner has been contacted and has 7 days to claim their prize before another selection is made.


Thank you to all who entered!



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Review and Giveaway- Athletica.net

Saturday, April 17, 2010




I love comfortable clothing for lounging around and for doing my morning exercises in, and http://www.athletica.net/ delivers!
They offer yoga and gym clothing for men and women, gift cards, and a great clearance section for those trying to save a few $$.
I recieved a pair of their classic gym pants to review and was pleased with the comfortable fit.These come in four different sizes and two different colors.Great looking for staying in or going out, and very lightweight.
They also offer free shipping on all orders over $100!

The great folks over at  http://www.athletica.net/ would love to give one lucky winner from Canada or the US, a chance to win a $75 gift card towards anything of their chosing!
A random draw will be made from Random.org on April 27,2010 from all entries recieved.

To enter:

Tell me what item of clothing you would use your $75 gift card on if you win.
Also include your email



Extra Entries:

-Sign up for the Athletica newsletter: http://www.athletica.net/
-Subscribe in email
-Subscribe in Google Friend
-Grab my button -add to your site
-Add this giveaway to your site
-Follow on Twitter














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Money Saving Tips for Springtime Travel!

Friday, April 16, 2010



Spring is upon us, which means the weather is warmer, the flowers are in bloom, and you are probably having an itch to get out of town! If you are ready to travel in the spring season, you may be wanting to save a little bit of money overall in preparation for your vacation.




To get you started, here are some helpful travel tips for springtime to fit into any budget:



1. Go Local: This is a fantastic idea for springtime travel if you want to save money and still have a relaxing break. Why not check out your neighboring areas to see if there are any inexpensive bed and breakfasts, lake cabins, or even beach hotels so that you can travel a few hours to get out of town? This is a wonderful idea for anyone on a budget, and it also provides you with the convenience of getting to know more about your home state or region.







2. Go All-Inclusive: For a full-fledged vacation, one of the best deals that you are going to get is in planning an all-inclusive trip at a resort. This means that your food and alcohol will be included, so all you have to worry about is sitting back and relaxing, which is as it should be.







3. Go on a Cruise: If you are planning a vacation for the springtime, you can save serious money on cruises if it is not yet the summer season. Even better, if you are near a coast of the United States, you can drive to your cruise port instead of flying to save even more cash overall. Many people don't realize that Carnival ports out of Galveston, Texas, so all Texans have the advantage of saving on airfare and still going on a cruise. Check out the same options available to you in New Orleans, Mobile, and Miami.







4. Book Through a Travel Website: It will also offer you a great deal if you can book through a website that gives you bonuses or perks, as well as discounts. If you're flexible with the times of your vacation, you may want to try a website like Priceline, which lets you bid on your own price. Otherwise, check out many of the credits available through booking multiple items through one website, like a dinner credit at a resort for booking a full vacation package.







Overall, spring is the perfect time to get out of town and recharge your batteries, but make sure that you have these helpful vacation tips to save you even more money!






For a great selection of all things coffee, check out Bethany North's website at http://www.thecoffeebump.com/.

Cute Picture from Today's Breakfast!

Thursday, April 15, 2010




This morning Erika went to make her usual toast with Cheese Whiz, and under the lid was this smiley face...we thought it was cute!




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Review and Giveaway( Canada Only)- Personal Finance for Canadian Dummies


Personal Finance is what I live ,eat and breath most times- and this blog-LOL, so I was happy to have had the opportunity to review the book: Personal Finance for Canadian Dummies

This is a great book that is a great reference book for Canadians to:


-reduce spending
-save more of what you earn
-make profitable investments
-buy insurance coverage that's good for you
-and select great financial advisors
-get and stay out of debt

There is almost 500 pages of reading in this book to save more, invest more and save wisely.
It's a great reference book and we would love to give one away to one of our Canadian readers!
We will make a random draw on April 28, 2010 from all entries recieved, from Random.org

To Enter:
Let me know if you have ever read any of the Dummies series of books, ( and please include your email)

Extra Entries:
-Follow me in Twitter
-Follow me in Google Friend
-Add this giveaway to your web site
-Subscribe by email
-Add my button to your site


Good luck to all!





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Book Review and Giveaway: Clean, Green & Lean by Dr Walter Crinnion

I love reading about weight loss and healthy eating,and this book has it all. The Clean, Green & Lean-Drop the Weight in 30 days book.

In Clean, Green, and Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat, Dr. Walter Crinnion illustrates to readers how they can both lose weight and be good to the environment. Dr. Crinnion, a naturopathic doctor and environmental medicine physician, will show you how to get rid of nagging health problems such as allergies and fatigue and enjoy greater energy and a greener planet. His book is all you need to slim down, clean up, and start enjoying life again.

Clean, Green, and Lean contains healthy, delicious, clean, green recipes and two weeks of meal plans for lean breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. These nutritious and satisfying meals will keep your stomach full, your body toxin-free, and your body and mind working at peak efficiency.




Filled with inspiring, true-life stories of people who have lost weight, healed their bodies, and turned their lives around following Dr. Crinnion's four-week plan, Clean, Green, and Lean is the groundbreaking book you need to slim down, clean up, and start enjoying life again.


A book is also being given away for one lucky reader in Canada or the USA. Draw to be made by Random.org on April 29,2010.

To Enter:
Send your email for entry

Extra Entries:
-Follow me on Twitter
-Follow me as a subscriber to emails
-Grab my button
-Follow me in Google Friend
-Add this giveaway to your site


Good luck to all!






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